A cold front clears off to the northeast of the North Island this morning leaving a cool west to southwesterly airflow over the country during the day. A trough then hits the lower South Island later this evening bringing even colder air and some very unsettled weather.

Northland, Auckland, Waikato & Bay Of Plenty
Morning rain eases to showers, some may be heavy at times with hail. Breezy westerlies tend southwest in the afternoon.
Highs: 12-15

Western North Island (including Central North Island)
Showers, possibly heavy at times with hail from midday. Snow flurries to 700m or possibly 600m from afternoon. Breezy west to northwesterly winds.
Highs: 6-13

Eastern North Island
Morning cloud may bring a spot of rain then becoming mostly sunny in the afternoon as northwest winds tend westerly.
Highs: 14-16

Wellington
Cloudy areas, a few showers possible around midday. Northwesterly winds tend westerly this afternoon.
High: 12

Marlborough & Nelson
Mostly sunny with breezy northwesterlies tending westerly this afternoon. Some high cloud.
Highs: 11-12

Canterbury
Sunny areas and some high cloud, there may be a brief shower in the afternoon as westerlies tend southwest.
Highs: 8-11

West Coast
Early rain eases to showers, snow lowers in the mountains to 400m. Winds from the southwest. Parts of South Westland may become fairly dry during the morning then showers increase again overnight.
Highs: 7-9

Southland & Otago
Showers about Southland and possibly Central Otago at times, heavy now and then with hail. Rain pushes northwards during this evening with further heavy falls as brisk westerlies change southwest. Snow lowers to 200m at times from midday about Southland / Central Otago then overnight for coastal Otago.
Highs: 5-7

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz